Gulfport, MS – Jose Luis Chavez a/k/a "Big Head," 47, of Edinburg, Texas, pled guilty today before U.S. District U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, and 100 grams or more of heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam.

During an arrest in Gulfport, Mississippi, in March 2016, agents with DEA began an investigation that led to the arrest of Chavez. Confidential sources met with law enforcement and stated that Chavez was a major source of supply for cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and heroin for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The confidential sources stated Chavez conspired with at least three other individuals to traffic narcotics from Texas to Mississippi. Agents with DEA corroborated the information provided by the confidential sources and arrested Chavez in Texas and brought him to Mississippi for prosecution.

Chavez will be sentenced on May 17, 2018, by Judge Ozerden, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine.

The case was investigated by the DEA and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.